Help Bahamians Tara & Chris restart after Dorian
Donation protected
“Everyone had it bad, no one was untouched by this monster. We are all scarred for life, all we can do is share our stories and soldier on… We were fortunate to live to tell the tale.”
The words of Bahamian Chris Claridge, my best and oldest friend Tara’s husband, are gut wrenching. The image of him below, even more so...
On September 1st, 2019, Hurricane Dorian engulfed Great Abaco and her barrier cays, leaving nothing but a wasteland of construction debris and shattered lives. For the thousands of residents of Abaco, the hours and days that followed Dorian’s exit were a blur of shock and adrenaline. For some it was hours before they reached loved ones to let them know they were safe, for others it was days. The horror and fear of the unknown for those of us well out of harm’s way was nothing compared to what our loved ones were going through, but those 24 hours were some of the longest of my life. Tears of joy and relief rushed when I finally got word that Tara, Chris, and their 7-year-old son Tyler were safe. Their home had sustained major damage, but for the moment they had a somewhat dry corner of a couch for Ty to rest on until help arrived.
-keeping Ty distracted from the storm-
On September 4th, three days after this nightmare began, Tyler was evacuated to Florida by helicopter with his uncle. Tara and Chris remained behind to secure their home as best they could. They had no idea if that would be the last time they would see their son, as conditions in Marsh Harbour were steadily deteriorating. The roads were blocked with downed trees and feet of what used to be homes, businesses, and boats. The airports were closed. Food and water were getting scarce, as most of people's storm supplies were lost to the wall of water that washed over the islands.
Out Island Internet, the business Chris and Tara began building 17 years ago is gone. The main office “…the nerve center… was wiped out by a 20ft tidal surge that tore through. 70+ sites of transmitters and towers were also wiped out, as well as the host properties and power lines in those areas.
So feasibly it is impossible to reconstruct everything. It took 17 years to get here, and less than a day to wipe out all of our blood, sweat, and tears... Others can piece together their offices or relocate and start again, but we were spread out all over Abaco. So, for us, sadly it's not possible to get anything back up. We are crushed, our hearts are heavy to make the painful decision to leave our home and our friends to start all over again somewhere new.” - Chris
Out Island Internet main office
Three days later, with 1 small suitcase between them, Chris and Tara were able to join their son in Florida.
“Losing what we worked for hurts big time, but we know in time we will emerge even stronger...” – Tara Claridge
Tyler has started school in Florida, and thank God for the resilience of children, he is making friends and slowly adjusting to this new life. Tara and Chris are job hunting, and have interviews scheduled.
Starting from scratch, in a new place, with literally nothing but their small suitcase of clothes and each other, Tyler, Tara, and Chris need our help. Funds raised will be used to secure a rental home near Tara’s brother in Tequesta, FL. Funds will also go towards furnishings, clothes, groceries, and gas.
“Since the storm I sleep but my mind doesn't really shut off like it used to, and I have dreams of us getting to safety.” – Chris
They have lost everything and are deeply traumatized. My goal with this campaign is to relieve some of the financial burden while they fight to get back a sense of normalcy.
My name is Genevieve Appleyard Ray, and I have created this campaign for my best friend Tara Claridge, her husband Chris, and their son Tyler. Funds will go directly to Tara to be used first and foremost to secure a rental home, and subsequently to furnish the rental and buy basic necessities for the family. Any remaining funds will go towards securing their house in Abaco, where their heart will always be.
Thank you all for your kindness and generosity. We are praying for all of the people of Abaco and Grand Bahama.
#abacostrong #bahamasstrong #chrisandtarastrong
The words of Bahamian Chris Claridge, my best and oldest friend Tara’s husband, are gut wrenching. The image of him below, even more so...
On September 1st, 2019, Hurricane Dorian engulfed Great Abaco and her barrier cays, leaving nothing but a wasteland of construction debris and shattered lives. For the thousands of residents of Abaco, the hours and days that followed Dorian’s exit were a blur of shock and adrenaline. For some it was hours before they reached loved ones to let them know they were safe, for others it was days. The horror and fear of the unknown for those of us well out of harm’s way was nothing compared to what our loved ones were going through, but those 24 hours were some of the longest of my life. Tears of joy and relief rushed when I finally got word that Tara, Chris, and their 7-year-old son Tyler were safe. Their home had sustained major damage, but for the moment they had a somewhat dry corner of a couch for Ty to rest on until help arrived.
-keeping Ty distracted from the storm-On September 4th, three days after this nightmare began, Tyler was evacuated to Florida by helicopter with his uncle. Tara and Chris remained behind to secure their home as best they could. They had no idea if that would be the last time they would see their son, as conditions in Marsh Harbour were steadily deteriorating. The roads were blocked with downed trees and feet of what used to be homes, businesses, and boats. The airports were closed. Food and water were getting scarce, as most of people's storm supplies were lost to the wall of water that washed over the islands.
Out Island Internet, the business Chris and Tara began building 17 years ago is gone. The main office “…the nerve center… was wiped out by a 20ft tidal surge that tore through. 70+ sites of transmitters and towers were also wiped out, as well as the host properties and power lines in those areas.
So feasibly it is impossible to reconstruct everything. It took 17 years to get here, and less than a day to wipe out all of our blood, sweat, and tears... Others can piece together their offices or relocate and start again, but we were spread out all over Abaco. So, for us, sadly it's not possible to get anything back up. We are crushed, our hearts are heavy to make the painful decision to leave our home and our friends to start all over again somewhere new.” - Chris
Out Island Internet main office Three days later, with 1 small suitcase between them, Chris and Tara were able to join their son in Florida.
“Losing what we worked for hurts big time, but we know in time we will emerge even stronger...” – Tara Claridge
Tyler has started school in Florida, and thank God for the resilience of children, he is making friends and slowly adjusting to this new life. Tara and Chris are job hunting, and have interviews scheduled.
Starting from scratch, in a new place, with literally nothing but their small suitcase of clothes and each other, Tyler, Tara, and Chris need our help. Funds raised will be used to secure a rental home near Tara’s brother in Tequesta, FL. Funds will also go towards furnishings, clothes, groceries, and gas.
“Since the storm I sleep but my mind doesn't really shut off like it used to, and I have dreams of us getting to safety.” – Chris
They have lost everything and are deeply traumatized. My goal with this campaign is to relieve some of the financial burden while they fight to get back a sense of normalcy.
My name is Genevieve Appleyard Ray, and I have created this campaign for my best friend Tara Claridge, her husband Chris, and their son Tyler. Funds will go directly to Tara to be used first and foremost to secure a rental home, and subsequently to furnish the rental and buy basic necessities for the family. Any remaining funds will go towards securing their house in Abaco, where their heart will always be.
Thank you all for your kindness and generosity. We are praying for all of the people of Abaco and Grand Bahama.
#abacostrong #bahamasstrong #chrisandtarastrong
Co-organizers (2)
Genevieve Appleyard Ray
Organizer
Dartmouth, MA
Chris and Tara Claridge
Beneficiary
Stephanie Marilyn Lloyd Downs
Co-organizer